It is a caracteristic that can be measured to evaluate the progression of a programme towards the completion of its objectives.
There can be different kind of indicators. They can be qualitative indicators or quantitive ones. A distinction can also be made depending on the evolution of the programme: product indicators, results indicators and impact indicators

Any approach, method ou tool developed and tried either for the first time or on a new territory, with a new target group, or in a new economic area, whose aim is to address an issue.
Investment in innovation will usualy be justified by possibilities of mainstreaming.

To combat the deterioration of coastal areas, in September 2000 the Commission proposed a European strategy for the integrated management of these areas. The main aim of the proposal was to resolve the basic problems facing the coastline: the lack of information; inadequate local participation in projects being carried out in coastal areas; and, poor coordination among those responsible for spatial planning. As part of this strategy, which requires the participation of the Member States and all those concerned, the Commission undertook to bring Community policies into line with appropriate and coordinated management of coastal areas; to provide a network of services accessible to those responsible for management of the coast; to promote research into and promotion of coastal areas; and, to encourage initiatives at all administrative levels.

This literally means 'between governments'. In the EU, some matters – such as security and defence issues – are decided purely by intergovernmental agreement (i.e. agreement between the governments of the EU countries), and not by the 'Community method'. (See below)These intergovernmental decisions are taken by ministers meeting in the Council of the European Union, or at the highest level by the prime ministers and/or presidents of the EU countries, meeting as the European Council.

Candidate countries and potential candidate countries will be aided, for the period 2007-2013, by the single Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. It will replace the current pre-accession assistance, i.e. the Phare, ISPA and SAPARD programmes, the specific pre-accession instrument for Turkey and the CARDS programme.

The Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA) provided additional financial support for the accession process of the candidate countries since 1999 in the areas of transport and the environment. Its aim was to enhance economic and social cohesion. This pre-accession assistance was the responsibility of the Directorate-General for Regional Policy for the period 2000-2006 and was due to be replaced by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)since 2007.